Chapter Six

Hermione looked around at the prefects, thinking about what theme they could do for their party. No one else had any clues or whatever they did suggest would be shot down by the others.

‘What about Disney characters?’ Hermione suggested, suddenly, thinking that was a great idea.

Everyone turned to look at her, some of them frowning at her suggestion. Others just looked confused and wondered if she had sneezed or something since they had no idea what or who “Disney” was. Hermione forgot that most of them wouldn't know about Disney or even a television, since they were bought up by witches and wizards.

‘Oh, never mind.’ Hermione said, chuckling to herself.

The prefects shrugged and started throwing out ideas onto the floor.

‘Black and white?’  

‘Nah, too boring!’

‘Prince and princess party!’

Draco chuckled at that theme and got some confused looks, he only shrugged and they went on with more party ideas.

‘How about... Masquerade?’ Hermione asked, her eyes showing excitement that was barely contained.

How romantic would that be? With the pretty dresses, pretty masks, dancing with strangers and the music and snacks. Oh, everything would be perfect, she would make sure of that. Everyone else in the room looked excited too and Draco just leaned back, watching her.

‘Perfect!’ Ginny grinned, watching as Hermione smiled and wrote down Masquerade on her notes.

‘Okay, Masquerade it is. Everyone will have to come in a mask of their choice,’ Hermione said, glancing at the others, ‘flyers and posters have been put up and now we just need to sort out the snacks and decorations.’

‘Okay! And for snacks and drinks, I was thinking...’ Ginny carried on.

The conversation went on until they had a idea of how the party would be like. Everyone got more and more excited as they talked about it other than Draco. He just yawned behind his hand and sat back.

---

Hermione and Draco had come in to the great hall see how the decorations were going. The party started at eight and wouldn’t finish until after midnight. There were two hours until the start of the party and everything was going according to plan.

The seventh years were allowed to go up to Hogsmeade anytime they wanted so everyone had went to buy masks and dresses. Some people were making them by magic which Hermione thought was a good idea although she hadn’t got around to making hers yet.

In the Great Hall, Ginny and some other people, including Harry, were putting up decorations. The tables were pushed to the walls and at the sides were small tables. In the middle was a big empty space which Hermione guessed would be the dance floor.

Hermione and Draco decided to check on the food. They went down to the kitchens were the Slytherin prefects were telling the elves what to make. Hermione couldn't stay there long as she was still into S.P.E.W. Draco rolled his eyes slightly when she walked out with a shake of her head.

They walked up the stairs in silence and passed lots of posters reading:

There were pictures of Masquerade masks and Hermione spent a moment admiring them. Blue ones with huge feathers at the side, black ones with white rimming, and even a multi coloured one. She chuckled and glanced at Draco, pretty satisfied with their work.

‘Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy. How are things going?’ Professor McGonagall asked them, watching them look at the poster. Her mouth almost formed a smile and Hermione guessed she was happy with their work too.

‘Great! Now we just have to get our dress and suit from Hogsmeade...’ Hermione said, sighing. They hadn’t really thought about themselves since they had been too busy with everything else.

‘Hogsmeade? Have you not been in your room, Miss Granger?’ McGonagall asked frowning briefly.

‘Yeah, we have,’ Draco said, looking at Hermione, ‘didn’t you read the note on your cupboard? You can get a dress from in there.’

Hermione nodded, ‘oh, yes. Of course. I’ve just been so busy with everything that I forgot. Thank you, Professor.’ 

McGonagall nodded, ‘I think you should go and get ready now, both of you.’

Hermione and Draco nodded, starting to make their way to their dormitory that they shared. They walked in silence, thinking of the up coming party and if it would be a success or not. They walked into the dorm and headed for their respective rooms.

Hermione smiled when she walked into her room and looked around. She glanced at her bed sheets and took out her wand, tapping them saying 'Mutatio'  and ‘grey’. The bed sheets changed into a lovely shade of grey, quite like Draco's eyes, Hermione thought. A blush appeared on her face.

There was a knock on her door and Hermione turned suddenly as though she had been caught in an obscene act.

‘May I come in?’ Draco asked, politely, looking slightly amused at her rabbit-caught-in-the-headlights act.

‘Sure,’ Hermione said, walking over to her cupboard.

‘Nice sheets!’ Draco chuckled and paused before murmuring, very quietly, ‘matches my eyes....’

Hermione blushed and didn’t look at him as she opened the cupboard. At first it was empty but then her eyes shot open at the many clothes and shoes and bags that were in there. Draco watched her, grinning, as he wondered what she would wear tonight.

‘Yeah. Wow, how amazing is this?’ Hermione asked, hiding her embarrassment, ‘everything I need is in this!’

‘It's great,’ Draco nodded, standing near her bed, ‘there's like a hour and a half left until the party, I'm getting changed.’

Hermione nodded vaguely and heard him leave the room, closing the door behind him. Her eyes were raking through the many colours of dresses inside. Red, orange, brown, gold, white, grey, yellow! Every colour imaginable. Hermione squealed out loud, feeling herself get excited even though she wasn’t a huge fan of partying.

She ran her hands through all of the dresses and beneath them were matching shoes and masks. She particularly liked the green one. It was too short comparing to Hermione's usual dresses but she loved it and wanted to push the boundaries a little after the war.

She quickly took off her clothes and pulled it on, going to study herself in the mirror. The dress was strapless and had a bodice that had silver sparkles spattered around it. The dress fanned out in ruffles under the bodice. Hermione liked it so much that she decided to show it to Draco.

Hermione slipped on the matching high heels and walked out to Draco's room, knocked and walked in when he said 'come in'. He stood in front of the mirror, trying to tie his tie.

‘What do you think?’ Hermione asked nervously, spinning around briefly. For some reason, his opinion really mattered to her.

Draco looked at her through the mirror and his jaw unhinged. He turned around and his eyes widened too as he gaped at her. His expression was priceless and made Hermione laugh.